In the exceptional artistic venue of the Tadeusz Sygietyński “Mazowsze” State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Centre in Karolin, the ceremonial Gala of the Polish Congress Ambassadors 2025 took place. This year’s event, jointly organised by the Polish Tourism Organisation, the Association of Conferences and Congresses in Poland (SKKP), the Mazovian Regional Tourist Organisation (Mazovia Convention Bureau), and the Warsaw Tourism Organisation (Warsaw Convention Bureau), brought together leading figures from Poland’s academic, local government, and meetings industry sectors.
During the Gala, honorary titles were presented to 21 new Polish Congress Ambassadors – individuals whose expertise, reputation, and commitment have contributed to attracting prestigious international scientific and industry events to Poland. These are thought leaders, experts, and visionaries whose efforts continue to strengthen Poland’s standing as a modern and professional congress destination.
The artistic setting of the evening was provided by the “Mazowsze” State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, whose performance captivated the audience and added a uniquely Polish cultural touch to the event.
Laureates of the Polish Congress Ambassadors Programme
The Polish Congress Ambassadors Programme has been in operation since 1998 and is one of the longest-standing initiatives supporting the meetings industry in Europe. To date, more than 330 individuals have joined the ranks of Congress Ambassadors – including thought leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and industry practitioners.
This year’s laureates, listed alphabetically, are:
- Dr hab. Dobrochna Bach-Golecka, Professor at the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Law and Administration
- Dr Katarzyna Brukało, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice
- Ms Anna Chagowska, Chagowska Productions
- Mr Marek Cichewicz, KLEPSYDRA Group, BONGO International Funeral Services
- Prof. Nicole Dołowy-Rybińska, Institute of Slavic Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences
- Ms Maria Barbara Haller de Hallenburg – Illg, Eurobusiness-Haller
- Dr hab. Monika Jagielska, Professor at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Law and Administration
- Dr hab. Eng. Adrian Kliks, Professor at Poznań University of Technology, Institute of Radiocommunication, Faculty of Computing and Telecommunications
- Prof. Eng. Eugeniusz Koda, Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW)
- Prof. Maciej Kubicki, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
- Dr hab. Anna Kurowska, Professor at the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Political Science and International Studies
- Dr hab. Aleksandra Kuzior, Professor at the Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Organisation and Management
- Prof. Michał Leszczyński, Institute of High Pressure Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences
- Prof. Eng. Jacek Mańdziuk, Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology
- Mr Michał Matuszczyk, Medforum
- Prof. Joanna Paliszkiewicz, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW)
- Prof. Joanna Rymaszewska, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Wrocław University of Science and Technology
- Prof. Eng. Andrzej Stankiewicz, Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology
- Dr hab. Adrianna Skoneczna, Professor at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences
- Prof. Michał Tomza, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw
- Prof. Magdalena Żemojtel-Piotrowska, Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw
The Ceremony
The ceremony commenced with official speeches, during which speakers expressed pride in the programme’s achievements to date and extended words of recognition to the laureates and partners of the initiative.
Piotr Borys, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, highlighted in his address the growing significance of tourism – including the meetings and events sector – as an important component of Poland’s GDP, and emphasised its key role in shaping a positive international image of the country.
Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Mazovian Voivodeship, welcomed guests as the host of the event, stressing the importance of Mazovia as a dynamic centre of economic, scientific, and cultural activity.
Rafał Szmytke, President of the Polish Tourism Organisation, recalled that it is precisely due to the efforts of the Ambassadors that Poland has risen to 17th place in the global ICCA rankings.
Together, we are building Poland’s brand on the international stage. The Gala is a moment to honour those who are shaping a modern meetings industry in our country — with passion and responsibility. I thank you for all that has already been accomplished and warmly encourage further collaboration, new initiatives, and joint efforts to strengthen Poland’s position as a leader in the meetings and events sector in Central Europe.
The Gala also served as an excellent occasion for meeting the Directors of the Polish Tourism Organisation’s Foreign Offices (ZOPOT) and for discovering the unique venue that is the Mazowsze Ensemble Centre in Karolin.
Izabela Stelmańska, President of the Mazovian Regional Tourist Organisation, underlined the exceptional nature of the location hosting the Gala.
Karolin is the symbolic heart of our region — a place where tradition meets the future. We are delighted that it is here that we can celebrate the contribution of the Ambassadors to Poland’s development as a congress destination.
Mateusz Czerwiński, President of the Warsaw Tourism Organisation, drew attention to the success of the Warsaw and Mazovia Congress Ambassador Club, from which over half of this year’s laureates originate.
Paula Fanderowska, President of the Association of Conferences and Congresses in Poland, emphasised the scale of the programme.
This is now a network of over 330 individuals — scientists, doctors, managers, and experts — who are actively influencing Poland’s position on the global stage. The Congress Ambassadors Programme is not just a project; it is a community of people who truly care.
All photos from the Gala are available on the website https://magdadrewnicka.pixieset.com/galaambasadorowkongresowpolskich2025namazowszu
- For more information: Agnieszka Szymerowska >>> agnieszka.szymerowska@skkp.org
- Polish Congress Ambassadors Programme ambasadorkongresow.pl
- Photo credits: Magda Drewnicka, Bajeczne Historie
#GalaAKP #SKKP #PolandCVB #MROT #MazoviaCB #WarsawCB
Created by: Jaroslaw Marciuk
